TOTAL QUALITY MANUFACTURING (TQM)Procedures

SPECIFICATIONS FOR RATTAN AND WICKER FURNITURE

We use the following specification to determine and evaluate our furniture. This standard is used throughout the rattan furniture industry and has proven to be very effective.

1. Scope

1.1 This standard specifies requirements for rattan and wicker furniture.

2. Definition

2.1 For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) Rattan Poles . A common term that applies to the various species of tropical climbing palms composing the genera Calamus and Daemonorops of the family Palmae.

(b) Rattan Round Core . Sometimes called “wicker”, refers to round-shaped material, with size ranging from 2 to 10 mm in diameter, processed from the core of the rattan pole, usually used for weaving.

(c) Rattan Flat Core . Refers to the flat-shaped material, with size ranging from 2 to 10 mm in width, processed from the core of a pole and used for weaving and binding.

(d) Rattan Peel . Also “rattan split”. refers to flat-shaped material, stripped from the skin of a rattan pole, with size ranging from 2 to 10 mm or wider in width, usually for weaving and binding.

(e) Check . A separation of fibres along the pole forming a crack or fissure in the rattan, not extending through the piece from one surface to the other.

(f) Shake . A separation of the fibres along the pole, caused by stress developed in the gathering and cutting, or due to improper processing.

(g) Break . A separation of the fibres, which extends through a piece from one surface to the other usually perpendicular or at right angle to the directions of the grains.

(h) Blemishes . Dark spots or discolorations in rattan poles caused by staining fungi or mineral stains.

3. Material requirements

3.1 Rattan Poles.

The rattan used in the construction of furniture shall be the “palasan” or similar variety and shall be of good grade poles: mature, clean, scraped, thoroughly seasoned.

(a) Rattan poles used for local and export market shall be treated against fungi and insect infestations, and thus free from mineral and fungal blemishes, scar, bruise and specially pinholes.

(b) All poles are to be treated with pentachlorophenol or saline solution to safeguard against insect-borers.

(c) Checks, Shakes and Breaks. Checks and shakes shall be permitted provided that they do not exist in close proximity to holes and grooves as to affect the strength. Breaks, however, shall not be permitted;

3.2 Rattan Core and Peel.

The rattan core and peel used for weaving and binding furniture shall be of good quality processed from grade rattan poles preferably of the “sika” variety. Rattan core or peel used shall be of uniform diameter or width respectively.

3.3 Wood.

All wood materials used or incorporated into rattan furniture such as seat frames, doors, cabinet, etc. shall conform to PS Specification for Wooden Furniture, Section 3.

4. Construction

4.1 All furniture complying with this standard shall be of good workmanship and all components including those not specifically referred to in this standard such as materials used in constructing the metal and wooden parts, springs, cushions, upholstery shall be of a quality at least equal to that used in recognized good practices in the trade.

(a) Rattan joints for main members and stress joints shall be snugly fitted and secured to adjoin members by nails, screw or bolts, and bound with rattan flat peel or core, or other binding materials glued on to the rattan, so as to withstand normal daily wear and tear.

(b) All main members and stress joints shall be of the concave-cut fitted type or dowelled type of construction.

(c) All joints of rattan rings used for the seats or for support purposes shall be the half-lap type nailed and glued together.

5. Finish

5.1 All rattan and wood surfaces shall be sanded smooth and all exposed edges and corners shall be eased. All holes, checks and shakes shall be filled and stained or toned to match color of rattan parts. Exposed nails, screws and bolts shall be countersunk with the holes with plastic wood fillers and/or wooden or rattan plugs flushed and sanded smooth before finishing.

5.2 Furniture finish shall be in accordance with any of the following:

(a) lacquer or nitro-based clear finishes;

(b) cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB);

(c) acid catalyst clear lacquers;

(d) polyurethane;

(e) oil or wax;

(f) polyester.

5.3 All materials used for juvenile furniture shall be of the nontoxic type.

5.4 All polished, painted or otherwise finished surfaces shall be of good workmanship and brought to a durable finish.

5.5 There shall be no excessive stickiness or surface disfigurement of any type such as blistering, marking or change of color when the furniture is subjected to dry heat.

6. Sampling

6.1 Up to three pieces of furniture shall be selected at random for testing. Should one of these fail to pass the tests, the inspector may select as many additional pieces of furniture as are necessary within reasonable limits, to satisfy himself of the manufacturer's normal standards of production.

7. Performance tests

7.1

The main objective of these series of tests is to determine, by the application of simulated loads and related stresses, whether a our products, specifically load-bearing members and joints hereof, can reasonably withstand normal use.

(a) The manner of testing herein described represents the simplest procedure that has been found workable in a majority of furniture, especially chairs. There will, however, be cases in which the design precludes the use of this particular procedure. In such cases, the tests to which the furniture are to be submitted shall be derived from the same principle as the standard test, using other means of applying either the same load or loads that have a similar effect.

7.2 Inspection before testing

(a) Immediately before testing, each sample shall be inspected and any apparent defects noted, so that they shall not later be recorded as having been caused by the tests. A report on such defects shall accompany the report on the performance tests and these shall be taken into account in assessing whether the article has complied with the requirements of this standard.

7.3 Test procedure

(a) Each sample shall be subjected to the series of tests specified in Section 7.4, the tests being carried out in that sequence.

(b) If during or after any of the tests described in 7.4 relative movement is apparent between the members of any joint and it is established that the joint is broken in such a way as to impair its serviceability, the furniture shall be deemed to have failed to pass the performance tests.

(c) If failure of a joint is recorded, or if for any other reason the furniture selected for testing is deemed to have failed to pass the Performance Tests of this standard, the testing of that article shall be discontinued and no further sections of the test procedure shall be applied to it.

(d) If any of the tests specified in 7.4 would cause local damage or is inappropriate for any other reason, it shall be replaced by a test or tests based on the same principle (see 7.1)

7.4 Tests.

(a) Test Samples. Samples selected at random in accordance with 6.1 shall be tested as specified herein.

(b) Level Test (all items) . Casters or glides shall be removed. Items shall be placed on a flat level surface plate. All legs shall simultaneously rest on the surface plate. Any evidence of rocking when light force is applied at any corner shall be cause for rejection.

(c) Sand Bag Test (chairs and sofa frames). These items shall withstand six impacts of a 29.5 kg (65 pounds) sand bag, 30.48 cm (12 inches) in diameter at dropped end, a distance of 106.68 cm (3.5 feet) in each of the following locations: (a) directly over a leg, (b) midway between the legs on the side frame members and on front frame rail at midpoint.

(d) Impact Test . Chairs shall withstand 12 drops from a height of 91.44 cm (3 feet) above a concrete floor. The chair shall be tilted to an angle of 12 degrees diagonally across the plane of the feet to insure that one leg receives the initial impact.

(e) Diagonal Load Test . Chair shall be laid back in such a way that the front edge of the seat is directly above the feet or the rear legs. Apply a vertical load of 68.04 kg (150 pounds) to the front edge of the seat. The force shall be applied and completely removed steadily during periods of not less than 5 seconds for 20 times.

(f) Static Load Test (chair frame with deck) . A static load of a 68.04 kg (150 pounds) sand bag shall be applied vertically over a 30.48 cm (12 inches) diameter area in the center of the deck and allowed to remain for 15 minutes. Upon removal of the load, there shall be no evidence of breakage or loosening or separation of frame joints;

(g) Static Load Test (tables). The height of the table shall be measured accurately. A static load of 45.36 kg (100 pounds) shall be applied vertically over a 30.48 cm (12 inches) diameter area in the centre of the table top and allowed to remain for 30 minutes. Upon removal of the load, the height shall not have decreased by more than 0.31 cm (1/8 inch) and there shall be no evidence of breakage or separation of joints.

7.5 Criteria for success

(a) No part of the furniture or its components or fittings shall develop any fracture, or any apparent loosening of a joint intended to be rigid, or any deformations which would adversely affect any of its functions.

(b) Each sample tested shall fulfill the conditions of the test described in 7.3(b).

(c) Each sample tested shall sustain each of the forces described in 7.4.

8. Marking

8.1 Each furniture complying with this standard shall be marked with the Sun Valley Rattan Certification Mark.

Note: By using this Total Quality Manufacturing (TQM) approach, we at Sun Valley Rattan are proud to be able to present you with our “Certificate of Authenticity” and this is also your guarantee that the products you purchase from us, are in conformity with the best standard in the industry.